Man Accused of Stealing $27.2 Million From Ethiopia Account at Citibank in New York

Above: The Citibank building in New York City. [AFP].
Prosecutors allege Amos and others caused Citibank
NA, a unit of Citigroup Inc. (C), to make about 24
wire transfers from the National Bank of Ethiopia’s
account in Manhattan to accounts controlled by
Amos and others around the world last October,
totaling nearly $27.2 million.

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- A Nigerian citizen pleaded not guilty Friday to a criminal charge in an alleged scheme to steal more than $27 million from a bank account held by the National Bank of Ethiopia in New York.

Paul Gabriel Amos, 37 years old, entered a plea of not guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck in Manhattan. He faces up to 30 years in prison on the charge if convicted.

The magistrate judge ordered Amos be temporarily detained at the hearing. Amos was arrested in Los Angeles last month when he attempted to enter the U.S.

Sabrina Shroff, his court-appointed lawyer, said at the hearing that Amos, a one-time resident of Singapore, was involved in plea discussions with the government.

National Bank of Ethiopia

A hearing is scheduled in the case for March 6.

Prosecutors allege Amos and others caused Citibank NA, a unit of Citigroup Inc. (C), to make about 24 wire transfers from the National Bank of Ethiopia’s account in Manhattan to accounts controlled by Amos and others around the world last October, totaling nearly $27.2 million. Read More.